IUP ROUNDUP: Softball team musters twinbill split

Despite mustering just two runs in Thursday’s doubleheader at Mansfield, it was enough for the IUP softball team to earn a split of a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Central Division twinbill.

Stef McCoy delivered a two-run double with two outs in the sixth inning to lift IUP to a 2-1 win in the second game after the Crimson Hawks dropped the opener, 3-0.

IUP took advantage of a pair of Mansfield errors to extend the Crimson Hawks’ sixth inning.

After Kaylee Prendergast reached on an error, Ashley Strack came up with a single, and another error by a Mansfield outfielder allowed Prendergast to reach third.

That’s when McCoy came up with her two-run double, one of only three hits in the game for IUP.

Mansfield threatened in the seventh, getting back-to-back singles with one out before IUP’s Tara Senn induced a pair of flyouts to seal the win.

Senn (3-2) went seven innings, giving up one run on six hits and one walk. She struck out two.

McCoy finished 1-for-2, Strack was 1-for-3 and Rachel Francis recorded IUP’s other hit.

Mansfield’s Kate Pratt was the hard-luck loser, allowing three hits and a pair of unearned runs. She struck out 10 IUP hitters.

Mansfield got on the board early in the opener, plating three first-inning runs, including one on a balk and another on a wild pitch.

It was more than enough support for Mansfield starter Caitlin Klobosits (8-3), who held IUP to five hits while striking out eight Crimson Hawks.

The Crimson Hawks threatened in the sixth inning, getting back-to-back singles from McCoy and Jasa Mitchell with no outs. Two batters later, Strack drew a walk to load the bases, but Klobosits ended the threat with a flyout.

Prendergast finished 2-for-3 with two of IUP’s five hits, including a double.

IUP starter Alexa Campbell went six innings, giving up five hits and three earned runs.

Since returning from its spring break trip and beginning PSAC Central play, IUP has scored two runs in losing three of its past four games. McCoy’s two-run double in the second game snapped a 26-inning scoreless streak for the Crimson Hawks.

IUP (11-8, 1-3 PSAC Central) is scheduled to welcome Edinboro on Saturday for its home opener.

TENNIS: IUP ran its winning streak to eight matches and notched its second straight shutout by blanking visiting Charleston (W.Va.), 9-0, in a non-conference women’s tennis match at the Maple Street Courts.

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